I
ArethesetheonlyworksofProvidencewithinus?Whatwordssufficetopraiseorsetthemforth?Hadwebutunderstanding,shouldweeverceasehymningandblessingtheDivinePower,bothopenlyandinsecret,andtellingofHisgraciousgifts?Whetherdiggingorploughingoreating,shouldwenotsingthehymntoGod:——
GreatisGod,forthatHehathgivenussuchinstrumentstotillthegroundwithal:
GreatisGod,forthatHehathgivenushandsandthepowerofswallowinganddigesting;ofunconsciouslygrowingandbreathingwhilewesleep!
Thusshouldweeverhavesung;yeaandthis,thegrandestanddivinesthymnofall:——
GreatisGod,forthatHehathgivenusamindtoapprehendthesethings,anddulytousethem!
Whatthen!seeingthatmostofyouareblinded,shouldtherenotbesomeonetofillthisplace,andsingthehymntoGodonbehalfofallmen?WhatelsecanIthatamoldandlamedobutsingtoGod?WereIanightingale,Ishoulddoafterthemannerofanightingale。WereIaswan,Ishoulddoafterthemannerofaswan。Butnow,sinceIamareasonablebeing,ImustsingtoGod:thatismywork:Idoit,norwillIdesertthismypost,aslongasitisgrantedmetoholdit;anduponyoutooIcalltojoininthisself—samehymn。
II
Howthendomenact?Asthoughonereturningtohiscountrywhohadsojournedforthenightinafairinn,shouldbesocaptivatedtherebyastotakeuphisabodethere。
\"Friend,thouhastforgottenthineintention!Thiswasnotthydestination,butonlylayonthewaythither。\"
\"Nay,butitisaproperplace。\"
\"Andhowmanymoreofthesorttheremaybe;onlytopassthroughuponthyway!Thypurposewastoreturntothycountry;
torelievethykinsmen’sfearsforthee;thyselftodischargethedutiesofacitizen;tomarryawife,tobegetoffspring,andtofilltheappointedroundofoffice。Thoudidstnotcometochooseoutwhatplacesaremostpleasant;butrathertoreturntothatwhereinthouwastbornandwherewertappointedtobaacitizen。\"
III
Trytoenjoythegreatfestivaloflifewithothermen。
IV
ButIhaveonewhomImustplease,towhomImustbesubject,whomImustobey:——God,andthosewhocomenexttoHim。
Hehathentrustedmewithmyself:Hehathmademywillsubjecttomyselfaloneandgivenmerulesfortherightusethereof。
V
Rufususedtosay,Ifyouhaveleisuretopraiseme,whatI
sayisnaught。Intruthhespokeinsuchwise,thateachofuswhosatthere,thoughthatsomeonehadaccusedhimtoRufus:——sosurelydidhelayhisfingerontheverydeedswedid:sosurelydisplaythefaultsofeachbeforehisveryeyes。
VI
ButwhatsaithGod?——\"Haditbeenpossible,Epictetus,I
wouldhavemadeboththatbodyofthineandthypossessionsfreeandunimpeded,butasitis,benotdeceived:——itisnotthineown;itisbutfinelytemperedclay。SincethenthisIcouldnotdo,IhavegiventheeaportionofMyself,inthepowerofdesiringanddecliningandofpursuingandavoiding,andisawordthepowerofdealingwiththethingsofsense。Andifthouneglectnotthis,butplaceallthatthouhasttherein,thoushaltneverbeletorhindered;thoushaltneverlament;thoushaltnotblameorflatterany。Whatthen?Seemththistotheealittlething?\"——Godforbid!——\"Becontentthentherewith!\"
AndsoIpraytheGods。
VII
WhatsaithAntisthenes?Hastthouneverheard?——
Itisakinglything,OCyrus,todowellandtobeevilspokenof。
VIII
\"Aye,buttodebasemyselfthuswereunworthyofme。\"
\"That,\"saidEpictetus,\"isforyoutoconsider,notforme。
Youknowyourselfwhatyouareworthinyourowneyes;andatwhatpriceyouwillsellyourself。Formensellthemselvesatvariousprices。Thiswaswhy,whenFloruswasdeliberatingwhetherheshouldappearatNero’sshows,takingpartintheperformancehimself,Agrippinusreplied,’Butwhydonotyouappear?’heanswered,’BecauseIdonotevenconsiderthequestion。’Forthemanwhohasoncestoopedtoconsidersuchquestions,andtoreckonupthevalueofexternalthings,isnotfarfromforgettingwhatmannerofmanheis。Why,whatisitthatyouaskme?Isdeathpreferable,orlife?Ireply,Life。
Painorpleasure?Ireply,Pleasure。\"
\"Well,butifIdonotact,Ishalllosemyhead。\"
\"Thengoandact!ButformypartIwillnotact。\"
\"Why?\"
\"Becauseyouthinkyourselfbutoneamongthemanythreadswhichmakeupthetextureofthedoublet。Youshouldaimatbeinglikemeningeneral——justasyourthreadhasnoambitioneithertobeanythingdistinguishedcomparedwiththeotherthreads。ButIdesiretobethepurple——thatsmallandshiningpartwhichmakestherestseemfairandbeautiful。Whythendoyoubidmebecomeevenasthemultitude?ThenwereInolongerthepurple。\"
IX
Ifamancouldbethroughlypenetrated,asheought,withthisthought,thatweareallinanespecialmannersprungfromGod,andthatGodistheFatherofmenaswellasofGods,fullsurelyhewouldneverconceiveaughtignobleorbaseofhimself。
WhereasifCaesarweretoadoptyou,yourhaughtylookswouldbeintolerable;willyounotbeelatedatknowingthatyouarethesonofGod?Nowhoweveritisnotsowithus:butseeingthatinourbirththesetwothingsarecommingled——thebodywhichwesharewiththeanimals,andtheReasonandThoughtwhichwesharewiththeGods,manydeclinetowardsthisunhappykinshipwiththedead,fewrisetotheblessedkinshipwiththeDivine。Sincetheneveryonemustdealwitheachthingaccordingtotheviewwhichheformsaboutit,thosefewwhoholdthattheyarebornforfidelity,modesty,andunerringsurenessindealingwiththethingsofsense,neverconceiveaughtbaseorignobleofthemselves:butthemultitudethecontrary。Why,whatamI?——A
wretchedhumancreature;withthismiserablefleshofmine。
Miserableindeed!butyouhavesomethingbetterthanthatpaltryfleshofyours。Whythenclingtotheone,andneglecttheother?
X
Thouartbutapoorsoulladenwithalifelessbody。
XI
TheotherdayIhadanironlampplacedbesidemyhouseholdgods。Iheardanoiseatthedoorandonhasteningdownfoundmylampcarriedoff。Ireflectedthattheculpritwasinnoverystrangecase。\"Tomorrow,myfriend,\"Isaid,\"youwillfindanearthenwarelamp;foramancanonlylosewhathehas。\"
XII
ThereasonwhyIlostmylampwasthatthethiefwassuperiortomeinvigilance。Hepaidhoweverthispriceforthelamp,thatinexchangeforitheconsentedtobecomeathief:inexchangeforit,tobecomefaithless。
XIII
ButGodhathintroducedMantobeaspectatorofHimselfandofHisworks;andnotaspectatoronly,butalsoaninterpreterofthem。Whereforeitisashameformantobeginandtoleaveoffwherethebrutesdo。Ratherheshouldbeginthere,andleaveoffwhereNatureleavesoffinus:andthatisatcontemplation,andunderstanding,andamanneroflifethatisinharmonywithherself。
Seethenthatyedienotwithoutbeingspectatorsofthesethings。
XIV
YoujourneytoOlympiatoseetheworkofPhidias;andeachofyouholdsitamisfortunenottohavebeheldthesethingsbeforeyoudie。Whereaswhenthereisnoneedeventotakeajourney,butyouareonthespot,withtheworksbeforeyou,haveyounocaretocontemplateandstudythese?
Willyounotthenperceiveeitherwhoyouareoruntowhatendyouwereborn:orforwhatpurposethepowerofcontemplationhasbeenbestowedonyou?
\"Well,butinlifetherearesomethingsdisagreeableandhardtobear。\"
AndaretherenoneatOlympia?Areyounotscorchedbytheheat?Areyounotcrampedforroom?Haveyounottobathewithdiscomfort?Areyounotdrenchedwhenitrains?Haveyounottoenduretheclamorandshoutingandsuchannoyancesasthese?
Well,Isupposeyousetallthisoveragainstthesplendourofthespectacleandbearitpatiently。Whatthen?haveyounotreceivedgreatnessofheart,receivedcourage,receivedfortitude?WhatcareI,ifIamgreatofheart,foraughtthatcancometopass?Whatshallcastmedownordisturbme?Whatshallseempainful?ShallInotusethepowertotheendforwhichIreceivedit,insteadofmoaningandwailingoverwhatcomestopass?
XV
IfwhatphilosopherssayofthekinshipofGodandManbetrue,whatremainsformentodobutasSocratesdid:——never,whenaskedone’scountry,toanswer,\"IamanAthenianoraCorinthian,\"but\"Iamacitizenoftheworld。\"
XVI
HethathathgraspedtheadministrationoftheWorld,whohathlearnedthatthisCommunity,whichconsistsofGodandmen,istheforemostandmightiestandmostcomprehensiveofall:——
thatfromGodhavedescendedthegermsoflife,nottomyfatheronlyandfather’sfather,buttoallthingsthatarebornandgrowupontheearth,andinanespecialmannertothoseendowedwithReason(forthoseonlyarebytheirnaturefittedtoholdcommunionwithGod,beingbymeansofReasonconjoinedwithHim)
——whyshouldnotsuchanonecallhimselfacitizenoftheworld?
WhynotasonofGod?Whyshouldhefearaughtthatcomestopassamongmen?ShallkinshipwithCaesar,oranyotherofthegreatatRome,beenoughtohedgemenaroundwithsafetyandconsideration,withoutathoughtofapprehension:whiletohaveGodforourMaker,andFather,andKinsman,shallnotthissetusfreefromsorrowsandfears?
XVII
Idonotthinkthatanoldfellowlikemeneedhavebeensittingheretotryandpreventyourentertainingabjectnotionsofyourselves,andtalkingofyourselvesinanabjectandignobleway:buttopreventtherebeingbychanceamongyouanysuchyoungmenas,afterrecognisingtheirkindredtotheGods,andtheirbondageinthesechainsofthebodyanditsmanifoldnecessities,shoulddesiretocastthemoffasburdenstoogrievoustobeborne,anddeparttheirtruekindred。ThisisthestruggleinwhichyourMasterandTeacher,wereheworthyofthename,shouldbeengaged。Youwouldcometomeandsay:
\"Epictetus,wecannolongerendurebeingchainedtothiswretchedbody,givingfoodanddrinkandrestandpurification:
aye,andforitssakeforcedtobesubservienttothismanandthat。Arethesenotthingsindifferentandnothingtous?Isitnottruethatdeathisnoevil?ArewenotinamannerkinsmenoftheGods,andhavewenotcomefromthem?Letusdepartthither,whencewecame:letusbefreedfromthesechainsthatconfineandpressusdown。Herearethievesandrobbersandtribunals:
andtheythatarecalledtyrants,whodeemthattheyhaveafterafashionpoweroverus,becauseofthemiserablebodyandwhatappertainstoit。Letusshowthemthattheyhavepowerovernone。\"
XVIII
AndtothisIreply:——
\"Friends,waitforGod。WhenHegivesthesignal,andreleasesyoufromthisservice,thendeparttoHim。Butforthepresent,enduretodwellintheplacewhereinHehathassignedyouyourpost。Shortindeedisthetimeofyourhabitationtherein,andeasytothosethatareminded。Whattyrant,whatrobber,whattribunalshaveanyterrorsforthosewhothusesteemthebodyandallthatbelongtoitasofnoaccount?Stay;departnotrashlyhence!\"
XIX
Somethinglikethatiswhatshouldpassbetweenateacherandingenuousyouths。Asitis,whatdoespass?Theteacherisalifelessbody,andyouarelifelessbodiesyourselves。Whenyouhavehadenoughtoeattoday,yousitdownandweepabouttomorrow’sfood。Slave!ifyouhaveit,wellandgood;ifnot,youwilldepart:thedoorisopen——whylament?Whatfurtherroomistherefortears?Whatfurtheroccasionforflattery?Whyshouldoneenvyanother?Whyshouldyoustandinaweofthemthathavemuchorareplacedinpower,especiallyiftheybealsostrongandpassionate?Why,whatshouldtheydotous?Whattheycando,wewillnotregard:whatdoesconcernus,thattheycannotdo。Whothenshallruleonethatisthusminded?
XX
Seeingthisthen,andnotingwellthefacultieswhichyouhave,youshouldsay,——\"Sendnow,OGod,anytrialthatThouwilt;lo,IhavemeansandpowersgivenmebyTheetoacquitmyselfwithhonourthroughwhatevercomestopass!\"——No;butthereyousit,tremblingforfearcertainthingsshouldcometopass,andmoaningandgroaningandlamentingoverwhatdoescometopass。AndthenyouupbraidtheGods。Suchmeannessofspiritcanhavebutoneresult——impiety。
YetGodhasnotonlygivenusthesefacultiesbymeansofwhichwemaybeareverythingthatcomestopasswithoutbeingcurshedordepressedthereby;butlikeagoodKingandFather,Hehasgivenusthiswithoutletorhindrance,placedwhollyatourowndisposition,withoutreservingtoHimselfanypowerofimpedimentorrestraint。Thoughpossessingallthesethingsfreeandallyouown,youdonotusethem!youdonotperceivewhatitisyouhavereceivednorwhenceitcomes,butsitmoaningandgroaning;someofyoublindtotheGiver,makingnoacknowledgmenttoyourBenefactor;othersbaselygivingthemselvestocomplaintsandaccusationsagainstGod。
Yetwhatfacultiesandpowersyoupossessforattainingcourageandgreatnessofheart,Icaneasilyshowyou;whatyouhaveforupbraidingandaccusation,itisforyoutoshowme!
XXI
HowdidSocratesbearhimselfinthisregard?HowelsethanasbecameonewhowasfullyassuredthathewasthekinsmanofGods?
XXII
IfGodhadmadethatpartofHisownnaturewhichHeseveredfromHimselfandgavetous,liabletobehinderedorconstrainedeitherbyHimselforanyother,HewouldnothavebeenGod,norwouldHehavebeentakingcareofusasHeought……Ifyouchoose,youarefree;ifyouchoose,youneedblamenoman——
accusenoman。AllthingswillbeatonceaccordingtoyourmindandaccordingtotheMindofGod。
XXIII
Petrifactionisoftwosorts。Thereispetrifactionoftheunderstanding;andalsoofthesenseofshame。Thishappenswhenamanobstinatelyrefusestoacknowledgeplaintruths,andpersistsinmaintainingwhatisself—contradictory。Mostofusdreadmortificationofthebody,andwouldsparenopainstoescapeanythingofthatkind。Butofmortificationofthesoulweareutterlyheedless。Withregard,indeed,tothesoul,ifamanisinsuchastateastobeincapableoffollowingorunderstandinganything,Igrantyouwedothinkhiminabadway。
Butmortificationofthesenseofshameandmodestywegosofarastodubstrengthofmind!
XXIV
IfwewereasintentuponourbusinessastheoldfellowsatRomeareuponwhatintereststhem,wetoomightperhapsaccomplishsomething。IknowamanolderthanIam,nowSuperintendentoftheCorn—marketatRome,andIrememberwhenhepassedthroughthisplaceonhiswaybackfromexile,whatanaccounthegavemeofhisformerlife,declaringthatforthefuture,oncehomeagain,hisonlycareshouldbetopasshisremainingyearsinquietandtranquility。\"ForhowfewyearshaveIleft!\"hecried。\"That,\"Isaid,\"youwillnotdo;butthemomentthescentofRomeisinyournostrils,youwillforgetitall;andifyoucanbutgainadmissiontoCourt,youwillbegladenoughtoelbowyourwayin,andthankGodforit。\"\"Epictetus,\"
hereplied,\"ifeveryoufindmesettingasmuchasonefootwithintheCourt,thinkwhatyouwillofme。\"
Well,asitwas,whatdidhedo?Ereeverheenteredthecity,hewasmetbyadespatchfromtheEmperor。Hetookit,andforgotthewholeofhisresolutions。Fromthatmoment,hehasbeenpilingonethinguponanother。Ishouldliketobebesidehimtoremindhimofwhathesaidwhenpassingthisway,andtoadd,HowmuchbetteraprophetIamthanyou!
Whatthen?doIsaymanisnotmadeforanactivelife?Farfromit!……Butthereisagreatdifferencebetweenothermen’soccupationsandours……Aglanceattheirswillmakeitcleartoyou。Alldaylongtheydonothingbutcalculate,contrive,consulthowtowringtheirprofitoutoffood—stuffs,farm—plotsandthelike……Whereas,IentreatyoutolearnwhattheadministrationoftheWorldis,andwhatplaceaBeingendowedwithreasonholdstherein:toconsiderwhatyouareyourself,andwhereinyourGoodandEvilconsists。
XXV
AmanaskedmetowritetoRomeonhisbehalfwho,asmostpeoplethought,hadmetwithmisfortune;forhavingbeenbeforewealthyanddistinguished,hehadafterwardslostallandwaslivinghere。SoIwroteabouthiminahumblestyle。Hehoweveronreadingtheletterreturnedittome,withthewords:\"Iaskedforyourhelp,notforyourpity。Noevilhashappeneduntome。\"
XXVI
Trueinstructionisthis:——tolearntowishthateachthingshouldcometopassasitdoes。Andhowdoesitcometopass?AstheDisposerhasdisposedit。NowHehasdisposedthatthereshouldbesummerandwinter,andplentyanddearth,andviceandvirtue,andallsuchopposites,fortheharmonyofthewhole。
XXVII
Havethisthoughteverpresentwiththee,whenthoulosestanyoutwardthing,whatthougainestinitsstead;andifthisbethemoreprecious,saynot,Ihavesufferedloss。
XXVIII
ConcerningtheGods,therearewhodenytheveryexistenceoftheGodhead;otherssaythatitexists,butneitherbestirsnorconcernsitselfnorhasforethoughtforanything。Athirdpartyattributetoitexistenceandforethought,butonlyforgreatandheavenlymatters,notforanythingthatisonearth。A
fourthpartyadmitthingsonearthaswellasinheaven,butonlyingeneral,andnotwithrespecttoeachindividual。Afifth,ofwhomwereUlyssesandSocratesarethosethatcry:——
ImovenotwithoutThyknowledge!
XXIX
Consideringallthesethings,thegoodandtruemansubmitshisjudgementtoHimthatadministerstheUniverse,evenasgoodcitizenstothelawoftheState。Andhethatisbeinginstructedshouldcomethusminded:——HowmayIinallthingsfollowtheGods;and,HowmayIrestsatisfiedwiththeDivineAdministration;and,HowmayIbecomefree?Forheisfreeforwhomallthingscometopassaccordingtohiswill,andwhomnonecanhinder。Whatthen,isfreedommadness?Godforbid。Formadnessandfreedomexistnottogether。
\"ButIwishallthatIdesiretocometopassandinthemannerthatIdesire。\"
——Youaremad,youarebesideyourself。KnowyounotthatFreedomisagloriousthingandofgreatworth?ButthatwhatI
desiredatrandomIshouldwishatrandomtocometopass,sofarfrombeingnoble,maywellbeexceedingbase。
XXX
Youmustknowthatitisnoeasythingforaprincipletobecomeaman’sown,unlesseachdayhemaintainitandhearitmaintained,aswellasworkitoutinlife。
XXXI
Youmustknowthatitisnoeasythingforaprincipletobecomeaman’sown,unlesseachdayhemaintainitandhearitmaintained,aswellasworkitoutinlife。
XXXII
Whatthenisthechastisementofthosewhoacceptitnot?Tobeastheyare。Isanydiscontentedwithbeingalone?lethimbeinsolitude。Isanydiscontentedwithhisparents?lethimbeabadson,andlament。Isanydiscontentedwithhischildren?lethimbeabadfather。——\"Throwhimintoprision!\"——Whatprision?——
Whereheisalready:forheisthereagainsthiswill;andwhereveramanisagainsthiswill,thattohimisaprision。
ThusSocrateswasnotinprision,sincehewastherewithhisownconsent。
XXXIII
KnowestthouwhataspeckthouartincomparisonwiththeUniverse?———Thatis,withrespecttothebody;sincewithrespecttoReason,thouartnotinferiortotheGods,norlessthanthey。
ForthegreatnessofReasonisnotmeasuredbylengthorheight,butbytheresolvesofthemind。PlacethenthyhappinessinthatwhereinthouartequaltotheGods。
XXXIV
AskedhowamanmighteatacceptablytotheGods,Epictetusreplied:——Ifwhenheeats,hecanbejust,cheerful,equable,temperate,andorderly,canhenotthuseatacceptablytotheGods?Butwhenyoucallforwarmwater,andyourslavedoesnotanswer,orwhenheanswersbringsitlukewarm,orisnotevenfoundtobeinthehouseatall,thennottobevexednorburstwithanger,isnotthatacceptabletotheGods?
\"Buthowcanoneenduresuchpeople?\"
Slave,willyounotendureyourownbrother,thathasGodtohisforefather,evenasasonsprungfromthesamestock,andofthesamehighdescentasyourself?Andifyouarestationedinahighposition,areyouthereforforthwithsetupforatyrant?
Rememberwhoyouare,andwhomyourule,thattheyarebynatureyourkinsmen,yourbrothers,theoffspringofGod。
\"ButIpaidapriceforthem,nottheyforme。\"
Doyouseewhitheryouarelooking——downtotheearth,tothepit,tothosedespicablelawsofthedead?ButtothelawsoftheGodsyoudonotlook。
XXXV
Whenweareinvitedtoabanquet,wetakewhatissetbeforeus;andwereonetocalluponhishosttosetfishuponthetableorsweetthings,hewouldbedeemedabsurd。Yetinaword,weasktheGodsforwhattheydonotgive;andthat,althoughtheyhavegivenussomanythings!
XXXVI
AskedhowamanmightconvincehimselfthateverysingleactofhiswasundertheeyeofGod,Epictetusanswered:——
\"Doyounotholdthatthingsonearthandthingsinheavenarecontinuousandinunisonwitheachother?\"
\"Ido,\"wasthereply。
\"Elsehowshouldthetreessoregularly,asthoughbyGod’scommand,atHisbiddingflower;atHisbiddingsendforthshoots,bearfruitandripenit;atHisbiddingletitfallandshedtheirleaves,andfoldedupuponthemselveslieinquietnessandrest?Howelse,astheMoonwaxesandwanes,astheSunapproachesandrecedes,canitbethatsuchvicissitudeandalternationisseeninearthlythings?
\"Ifthenallthingsthatgrow,nay,ourownbodies,arethusboundupwiththewhole,isnotthisstilltruerofoursouls?
AndifoursoulsareboundupandincontactwithGod,asbeingverypartsandfragmentspluckedfromHimself,shallHenotfeeleverymovementoftheirsasthoughitwereHisown,andbelongingtoHisownnature?\"
XXXVII
\"But,\"yousay,\"Icannotcomprehendallthisatonce。\"
\"Why,whotoldyouthatyourpowerswereequaltoGod’s?\"
YetGodhathplacedbythesideofeachaman’sownGuardianSpirit,whoischargedtowatchoverhim——aGuardianwhosleepsnotnorisdeceived。FortowhatbetterormorewatchfulGuardiancouldHehavecommittedwachofus?Sowhenyouhaveshutthedoorsandmadeadarknesswithin,remembernevertosaythatyouarealone;foryouarenotalone,butGodiswithin,andyourGuardianSpirit,andwhatlightdotheyneedtobeholdwhatyoudo?TothisGodyoualsoshouldhaveswornallegiance,evenassolidersuntoCaesar。They,whentheirserviceishired,sweartoholdthelifeofCaesardearerthanallelse:andwillyounotswearyouroath,thataredeemedworthyofsomanyandgreatgifts?Andwillyounotkeepyouroathwhenyouhaveswornit?
Andwhatoathwillyouswear?Nevertodisobey,nevertoarraignormurmurataughtthatcomestoyoufromHishand:neverunwillinglytodoorsufferaughtthatnecessitylaysuponyou。
\"Isthisoathliketheirs?\"
TheysweartoholdnootherdearerthanCaesar:you,toholdourtrueselvesdearerthanallelsebeside。
XXXVIII
\"Howshallmybrotherceasetobewrothwithme?\"
Bringhimtome,andIwilltellhim。ButtotheeIhavenothingtosayabouthisanger。
XXXIX
WhenonetookcounselofEpictetus,saying,\"WhatIseekisthis,howeventhoughmybrotherbenotreconciledtome,ImaystillremainasNaturewouldhavemetobe,\"hereplied:\"Allgreatthingsareslowofgrowth;nay,thisistrueevenofagrapeorofafig。Ifthenyousaytomenow,Idesireafig,I
shallanswer,Itneedstime:waittillitfirstflower,thencastitsblossom,thenripen。Whereasthenthefruitofthefig—treereachesnotmaturitysuddenlynoryetinasinglehour,doyouneverthelessdesiresoquickly,andeasilytoreapthefruitofthemindofman?——Nay,expectitnot,eventhoughIbadeyou!\"
XL
Epaphroditushadashoemakerwhomhesoldasbeinggood—for—nothing。
Thisfellow,bysomeaccident,wasafterwardspurchasedbyoneofCaesar’smen,andbecameashoemakertoCaesar。YoushouldhaveseenwhatrespectEpaphrodituspaidhimthen。\"HowdoesthegoodFelicion?Kindlyletmeknow!\"Andifanyofusinquired,\"WhatisEpaphroditusdoing?\"theanswerwas,\"HeisconsultingaboutsoandsowithFelicion。\"——Hadhenotsoldhimasgood—for—nothing?Whohadinatriceconvertedhimintoawiseacre?
ThisiswhatcomesofholdingofimportanceanythingbutthethingsthatdependontheWill。
XLI
Whatyoushunenduringyourself,attemptnottoimposeonothers。Youshunslavery——bewareofenslavingothers!Ifyoucanenduretodothat,onewouldthingyouhadbeenonceuponatimeaslaveyourself。ForVicehasnothingincommonwithvirtue,norFreedomwithslavery。
XLII
Hasamanbeenraisedtotribuneship?Everyonethathemeetscongratulateshim。Onekisseshimontheeyes,anotherontheneck,whiletheslaveskisshishands。Hegoeshometofindtorchesburning;heascendstotheCapitoltosacrifice。——Whoeversacrificedforhavinghadrightdesires;forhavingconceivedsuchinclinationsasNaturewouldhavehim?IntruthwethanktheGodsforthatwhereinweplaceourhappiness。
XLIII
Amanwastalkingtometo—dayaboutthepriesthoodofAugustus。Isaidtohim,\"Letthethinggo,mygoodSir;youwillspendagooddealtonopurpose。\"
\"Well,butmynamewillbeinsertedinalldocumentsandcontracts。\"
\"Willyoubestandingtheretotellthosethatreadthem,Thatismynamewrittenthere?Andevenifyoucouldnowbethereineverycase,whatwillyoudowhenyouaredead?\"
\"Atalleventsmynamewillremain。\"
\"Inscribeitonastoneanditwillremainjustaswell。Andthink,beyondNicopoliswhatmemoryofyouwilltherebe?\"
\"ButIshallhaveagoldenwreathtowear。\"
\"Ifyoumusthaveawreath,getawreathofrosesandputiton;youwilllookmoreelegant!\"
XLIV
Aboveall,rememberthatthedoorstandsopen。Benotmorefearfulthanchildren;butasthey,whentheywearyofthegame,cry,\"Iwillplaynomore,\"evenso,whenthouartinthelikecase,cry,\"Iwillplaynomore\"anddepart。Butifthoustayest,makenolamentation。
XLV
Istheresmokeintheroom?Ifitbeslight,Iremain;ifgrievous,Iquitit。Foryoumustrememberthisandholditfast,thatthedoorstandsopen。
\"YoushallnotdwellatNicopolis!\"
Wellandgood。
\"NoratAthens。\"
ThenIwillnotdwellatAthenseither。
\"NoratRome。\"
NoratRomeeither。
\"YoushalldwellinGyara!\"
Well:buttodwellinGyaraseemstomelikeagrievoussmoke;Ideparttoaplacewherenonecanforbidmetodwell:
thathabitationisopenuntoall!Asforthelastgarmentofall,thatisthepoorbody;beyondthat,nonecandoaughtuntome。
ThiswhyDemetriussaidtoNero:\"Youthreatenmewithdeath;itisNaturewhothreatensyou!\"
XLVI
Thebeginningofphilosophyistoknowtheconditionofone’sownmind。Ifamanrecognisesthatthisisinaweaklystate,hewillnotthenwanttoapplyittoquestionsofthegreatestmoment。Asitis,menwhoarenotfittoswallowevenamorsel,buywholetreatisesandtrytodevourthem。Accordinglytheyeithervomitthemupagain,orsufferfromindigestion,whencecomegripings,fluxions,andfevers。Whereastheyshouldhavestoppedtoconsidertheircapacity。
XLVII
Intheoryitiseasytoconvinceanignorantperson:inactuallife,mennotonlyobjecttoofferthemselvestobeconvinced,buthatethemanwhohasconvincedthem。WhereasSocratesusedtosaythatweshouldneverleadalifenotsubjectedtoexamination。
XLVIII
ThisisthereasonwhySocrates,whenremindedthatheshouldprepareforhistrial,answered:\"ThinkestthounotthatI
havebeenpreparingforitallmylife?\"
\"Inwhatway?\"
\"Ihavemaintainedthatwhichinmelay/\"
\"Howso?\"
\"Ihavenever,secretlyoropenly,doneawronguntoany。\"
XLIX
Inwhatcharacterdostthounowcomeforward?
AsawitnesssummonedbyGod。\"Comethou,\"saithGod,\"andtestifyforme,forthouartworthyofbeingbroughtforwardasawitnessbyMe。Isaughtthatisoutsidethywilleithergoodorbad?DoIhurtanyman?HaveIplacedthegoodofeachinthepowerofanyotherthanhimself?WhatwitnessdostthoubeartoGod?\"
\"Iaminevilstate,Master,Iamundone!Nonecarethforme,nonegivethmeaught:allmenblame,allspeakevilofme。\"
Isthisthewitnessthouwiltbear,anddodishonourtothecallingwherewithHehathcalledthee,becauseHehathdonetheesogreathonour,anddeemedtheeworthyofbeingsummonedtobearwitnessinsogreatacause?
L
Wouldstthouhavemenspeakgoodofthee?speakgoodofthem。Andwhenthouhastlearnedtospeakgoodofthem,trytodogooduntothem,andthusthouwiltreapinreturntheirspeakinggoodofthee。
LI
Whenthougoestintoanyofthegreat,rememberthatAnotherfromaboveseeswhatispassing,andthatthoushouldstpleaseHimratherthanman。Hethereforeasksthee:——
\"IntheSchools,whatdidstthoucallexile,imprisionment,bonds,deathandshame?\"
\"Icalledthemthingsindifferent。\"
\"Whatthendostthoucallthemnow?Aretheyatallchanged?\"
\"No。\"
\"Isitthenthouthatartchanged?\"
\"No。\"
\"Saythen,whatarethingsindifferent?\"
\"Thingsthatarenotinourpower。\"
\"Saythen,whatfollows?\"
\"Thatthingswhicharenotinourpowerarenothingtome。\"
\"Sayalsowhatthingsyouholdtobegood。\"
\"Awillsuchasitoughttobe,andarightuseofthethingsofsense。\"
\"Andwhatistheend?\"
\"TofollowThee!\"
LII
\"ThatSocratesshouldeverhavebeensotreatedbytheAthenians!\"
Slave!whysay\"Socrates\"?Speakofthethingasitis:ThateverthenthepoorbodyofSocratesshouldhavebeendraggedawayandhaledbymainforcetoprision!ThateverhemlockshouldhavebeengiventothebodyofSocrates;thatthatshouldhavebreatheditslifeaway!——Doyoumarvelatthis?Doyouholdthisunjust?IsitforthisthatyouaccuseGod?HadSocratesnocompensationforthis?WherethenforhimwastheidealGood?
Whomshallwehearkento,youorhim?Andwhatsayshe?
\"AnytusandMelitusmayputmetodeath:toinjuremeisbeyondtheirpower。\"
Andagain:——
\"IfsuchbethewillofGod,soletitbe。\"
LIII
Nay,youngman,forheaven’ssake;butoncethouhastheardthesewords,gohomeandsaytothyself:——\"ItisnotEpictetusthathastoldmethesethings:howindeedshouldhe?No,itissomegraciousGodthroughhim。Elseitwouldneverhaveenteredhisheadtotellmethem——hethatisnotusedtospeaktoanyonethus。Well,then,letusnotlieunderthewrathofGod,butbeobedientuntoHim。\"———Nay,indeed;butifaravenbyitscroakingbearstheeanysign,itisnottheravenbutGodthatsendsthesignthroughtheraven;andifHesignifiesanythingtotheethroughhumanvoice,willHenotcausethemantosaythesewordstothee,thatthoumayestknowthepoweroftheDivine——
howHesendsasigntosomeinonewayandtoothersinanother,andonthegreatestandhighestmattersofallsignifiesHiswillthroughthenoblestmessenger?
Whatelsedoesthepoetmean:——
IspakeuntohimerstMyself,andsentHermestheshiningOne,tocheckandwarnhim,Thehusbandnottoslay,norwoothewife!
LIV
InthesamewaymyfriendHeraclitus,whohadatriflingsuitaboutapettyfarmatRhodes,firstshowedthejudgesthathiscausewasjust,andthenatthefinishcried,\"Iwillnotentreatyou:nordoIcarewhatsentenceyoupass。Itisyouwhoareonyourtrial,notI!\"——Andsoheendedthecase。
LV
Asforus,webehavelikeaherdofdeer。Whentheyfleefromthehuntsman’sfeathersinaffright,whichwaydotheyturn?Whathavenofsafetydotheymakefor?Why,theyrushuponthenets!Andthustheyperishbyconfoundingwhattheyshouldfearwiththatwhereinnodangerlies……Notdeathorpainistobefeared,butthefearofdeathorpain。Wellsaidthepoettherefore:——
Deathhasnoterror;onlyaDeathofshame!
LVI
Howisitthenthatcertainexternalthingsaresaidtobenatural,andothercontrarytoNature?
Why,justasitmightbesaidifwestoodaloneandapartfromothers。Afoot,forinstance,Iwillallowitisnaturalshouldbeclean。Butifyoutakeitasafoot,andasathingwhichdoesnotstandbyitself,itwillbeseemit(ifneedbe)towalkinthemud,totreadonthorns,andsometimeseventobecutoff,forthebenefitofthewholebody;elseitisnolongerafoot。Insomesuchwayweshouldconceiveofourselvesalso。Whatartthou?——Aman。——Lookedatasstandingbythyselfandseparate,itisnaturalfortheeinhealthandwealthlongtolive。ButlookedatasaMan,andonlyasapartofaWhole,itisforthatWhole’ssakethatthoushouldestatonetimefallsick,atanotherbravetheperilsofthesea,again,knowthemeaningofwantandperhapsdieanearlydeath。Whythenrepine?
Knowestthounotthatasthefootisnomoreafootifdetachedfromthebody,sothouinlikecaseartnolongeraMan?ForwhatisaMan?ApartofaCity:——firstoftheCityofGodsandMen;
next,ofthatwhichranksnearestit,aminatureoftheuniversalCity……Insuchabody,insuchaworldenvelopingus,amongliveslikethese,suchthingsmusthappentooneoranother。Thypart,then,beinghere,istospeakofthesethingsasismeet,andtoorderthemasbefitsthematter。
LVII
ThatwasagoodreplywhichDiogenesmadetoamanwhoaskedhimforlettersofrecommendation。——\"Thatyouareaman,hewillknowwhenheseesyou;——whetheragoodorbadone,hewillknowifhehasanyskillindiscerningthegoodorbad。Butifhehasnone,hewillneverknow,thoughIwritehimathousandtimes。\"——
Itisasthoughapieceofsilvermoneydesiredtoberecommendedtosomeonetobetested。Ifthemanbeagoodjudgeofsilver,hewillknow:thecoinwilltellitsowntale。
LVIII
Evenasthetravelleraskshiswayofhimthathemeets,inclinedinnowisetobeartotherightratherthantotheleft(forhedesiresonlythewayleadingwhitherhewouldgo),soshouldwecomeuntoGodastoaguide;evenasweuseoureyeswithoutadmonishingthemtoshowussomethingsratherthanothers,butcontenttoreceivetheimagesofsuchthingsastheypresenttous。Butasitiswestandanxiouslywatchingthevictim,andwiththevoiceofsupplicationcallupontheaugur:——
\"Master,havemercyonme:vouchsafeuntomeawayofescape!\"
Slave,wouldyouthenhaveaughtelsethenwhatisbest?isthereanythingbetterthanwhatisGod’sgoodpleasure?Why,asfarasinyoulies,wouldyoucorruptyourJudge,andleadyourCounsellorastray?
LIX
Godisbeneficent。ButtheGoodalsoisbeneficent。ItshouldseemthenthatwheretherealnatureofGodis,theretooistobefoundtherealnatureoftheGood。WhatthenistherealnatureofGod?——Intelligence,Knowledge,RightReason。HerethenwithoutmoreadoseektherealnatureoftheGood。Forsurelythoudostnotseekitinaplantorinananimalthatreasonethnot。
LX
SeekthentherealnatureoftheGoodinthatwithoutwhosepresencethouwiltnotadmittheGoodtoexistinaughtelse。——
Whatthen?ArenottheseotherthingsalsoworksofGod?——Theyare;butnotpreferredtohonour,noraretheyportionsofGod。
Butthouartathingpreferredtohonour:thouartthyselfafragmenttornfromGod:——thouhastaportionofHimwithinthyself。Howisitthenthatthoudostnotknowthyhighdescent——dostnotknowwhencethoucomest?Whenthoueatest,wiltthounotrememberwhothouartthateatestandwhomthoufeedest?Inintercourse,inexercise,indiscussionknowestthounotthatitisaGodwhomthoufeedest,aGodwhomthouexercisest,aGodwhomthoubearestaboutwiththee,Omiserable!andthouperceivestitnot。ThinkestthouthatIspeakofaGodofsilverorgold,thatiswithoutthee?Nay,thoubearestHimwithinthee!
allunconciousofpollutingHimwiththoughtsimpureanduncleandeeds。WereanimageofGodpresent,thouwouldestnotdaretoactasthoudost,yet,whenGodHimselfispresentwithinthee,beholdingandhearingall,thoudostnotblushtothinksuchthoughtsanddosuchdeeds,OthouthatartinsensibleofthineownnatureandliestunderthewrathofGod!
LXI
WhythenareweafraidwhenwesendayoungmanfromtheSchoolsintoactivelife,lestheshouldindulgehisappetitesintemperately,lestheshoulddebasehimselfbyraggedclothing,orbepuffedupbyfineraiment?KnowshenottheGodwithinhim;
knowshenotwithwhomheisstartingonhisway?Havewepatiencetohearhimsaytous,WouldIhadtheewithme!——HastthounotGodwherethouart,andhavingHimdostthoustillseekforanyother!WouldHetelltheeaughtelsethanthesethings?
Why,wertthouastatueofPhidias,anAthenaoraZeus,thouwouldstbethinktheebothofthyselfandthineartificer;andhadstthouanysense,thouwouldststrivetodonodishonourtothyselforhimthatfashionedthee,norappeartobeholdersinunbefittingguise。Butnow,becauseGodisthyMaker,isthatwhythoucarestnotofwhatsortthoushaltshowthyselftobe?Yethowdifferenttheartistsandtheirworkmanship!Whathumanartist’swork,forexample,hasinitthefacultiesthataredisplayedinfashioningit?Isitaughtbutmarble,bronze,gold,orivory?Nay,whentheAthenaofPhidiashasputforthherhandandreceivedthereinaVictory,inthatattitudeshestandsforevermore。ButGod’sworksmoveandbreathe;theyuseandjudgethethingsofsense。TheworkmanshipofsuchanArtist,wiltthoudishonorHim?Ay,whenhenotonlyfashionedthee,butplacedthee,likeaward,inthecareandguardianshipofthyselfalone,wiltthounotonlyforgetthis,butalsododishonourtowhatiscommittedtothycare!IfGodhadentrustedtheewithanorphan,wouldstthouhavethusneglectedhim?Hehathdeliveredtheetothineowncare,saying,Ihadnonemorefaithfulthanmyself:
keepthismanformesuchasNaturehathmadehim——modest,faithful,high—minded,astrangertofear,topassion,toperturbation……
SuchwillIshowmyselftoyouall。——\"What,exemptfromsicknessalso:fromage,fromdeath?\"——Nay,butacceptingsickness,acceptingdeathasbecomesaGod!
LXII
Nolabour,accordingtoDiogenes,isgoodbutthatwhichaimsatproducingcourageandstrengthofsoulratherthanofbody。
LXIII
Aguide,onfindingamanwhohaslosthisway,bringshimbacktotherightpath——hedoesnotmockandjeerathimandthentakehimselfoff。Youalsomustshowtheunlearnedmanthetruth,andyouwillseethathewillfollow。Butsolongasyoudonotshowithim,youshouldnotmock,butratherfeelyourownincapacity。
LXIV
ItwasthefirstandmoststrikingcharacteristicofSocratesnevertobecomeheatedindiscourse,nevertoutteraninjuriousorinsultingword——onthecontrary,hepersistentlyboreinsultfromothersandthusputanendtothefray。Ifyoucaretoknowtheextentofhispowerinthisdirection,readXenophon’sBanquet,andyouwillseehowmanyquarrelsheputanendto。ThisiswhythePoetsarerightinsohighlycommendingthisfaculty:——
Quicklyandwiselywithalevenbitterfeudswouldhesettle。
Neverthelessthepracticeisnotverysafeatpresent,especiallyinRome。Onewhoadoptsit,Ineednotsay,oughtnottocarryitoutinanobscurecorner,butboldlyaccost,ifoccasionserve,somepersonageofrankorwealth。
\"Canyoutellme,sir,towhosecareyouentrustyourhorses?\"
\"Ican。\"
\"Isittothefirstcorner,whoknowsnothingaboutthem?\"
\"Certainlynot。\"
\"Well,whatofthemanwhotakescareofyourgold,yoursilveroryourraiment?\"
\"Hemustbeexperiencedalso。\"
\"Andyourbody——haveyoueverconsideredaboutentrustingittoanyone’scare?\"
\"OfcourseIhave。\"
\"Andnodoubttoapersonofexperienceasatrainer,aphysician?\"
\"Surely。\"
\"Andthesethingsthebestyoupossess,orhaveyouanythingmoreprecious?\"
\"Whatcanyoumean?\"
\"Imeanthatwhichemploysthese;whichweightsallthings;
whichtakescounselandresolve。\"
\"Oh,youmeanthesoul。\"
\"Youtakemerightly;Idomeanthesoul。ByHeaven,IholdthatfarmorepreciousthanallelseIpossess。Canyoushowmethenwhatcareyoubestowonasoul?Foritcanscarcelybethoughtthatamanofyourwisdomandconsiderationinthecitywouldsufferyourmostpreciouspossessiontogotoruinthroughcarelessnessandneglect。\"
\"Certainlynot。\"
\"Well,doyoutakecareofityourself?Didanyoneteachyoutherightmethod,ordidyoudiscoverityourself?\"
Nowherecomesinthedanger:first,thatthegreatmanmayanswer,\"Why,whatisthattoyou,mygoodfellow?areyoumymaster?\"Andthen,ifyoupersistintroublinghim,mayraisehishandtostrikeyou。ItisapracticeofwhichIwasmyselfawarmadmireruntilsuchexperiencesasthesebefellme。